yer dancin’ photos and some advice from movita

Today is my first day of baking school. I thought about posting a recipe or something baking-related, but it was tough to find just the right thing to express my excitement. And then I remembered that I still have a few dancing photos to share with you. And also, some words of wisdom. Because when I turned 40, I got way smarter. No lie. That photo up there came from Carol Anne. She has a blog called Rock Salt – you should go visit her. You might remember her from Bake My Cake 2012. Yah, that Carol Anne. Carol Anne’s photo basically represents my first day of school in movement. That’s how you do art, people.

Carol Anne sent the following note with her photo:

Right, let’s get this straight: I’m a ridiculous dancer. I bust the biggest moves, lots of which involve pointing and most of which involve miming along to every possibly lyric with the wildest mime gesticulations available. Sometimes I’m surprised that people will dance with me, though mostly the kind of people I hit the dancefloor with are cool enough to get it.

This is probably the best example of my ridiculous dancing from a fairly recent birthday party. It’s not a flattering picture, but I think it expresses the exuberance with which I hit the floor. I’m not sure what I was dancing to. I don’t think that’s really the issue.

That’s my wee mammy in the background, and my sister, whose party it was.

I’m not an elegant dancer, or graceful or beautiful like a lot of the other photos people are sending. I’m not a cute kiddie in a costume, like you and your sister (adorable). I’m not even holding a dog. I’ve never taken a dance lesson in all my life. But I love to dance. Oh my, I love to dance.

Carol Anne? That photo is wicked awesome, and your words do a pretty good job of summing up the spirit of dance – you’ve gotta let ‘er go and let ‘er flow. Fun fact: when you’re dancing, it’s hard to worry about other stuff.

I’m gunna lay some stuff out for ya. I’m gunna put some stuff down, and you’re gunna pick it up. You’re gunna be schooled. You see, when I tell people that I’m going to baking school, I often hear, “buthow can you stop teaching ballet? HOW?” It’s pretty… annoying. So you learn to respond with sage words like, “I’m open to new possibilities,” which often gets you a blank stare in return. Sometimes, people will say something about how you’re wasting your talent. Yup. People will actually say stupid stuff like that to you. Those people need a swift kick in the arse. But that isn’t your job. Nope. You don’t have time to kick every arse that needs to be kicked. You don’t have time because this life ain’t a dress rehearsal – you’ve gotta get out there and bust some moves. That’s my first piece of advice: don’t stop to kick every arse that needs to be kicked.

These past few months have taught me that people are not just set in their own ways; they are also set in the way they perceive you. How they want you to be, who they want you to be. Scribbling all over that picture they have of you makes people uncomfortable – because it’s inconvenient for them. You see, if you change you, they might have to adjust too. Now, if you’re lucky like I am, the majority of people you’ve surrounded yourself with will be super excited about your new adventures – they’ll be high-fivin’ you the whole way. So that’s my second piece of advice for you – straight from Carol Anne’s note: hit the dance floor with people who are cool enough to get it.

And here’s my third piece of advice, or perhaps, a suggestion: take it to the next level. Like Carol Anne up there. Whaddya say? I’m taking a leap – and sure, there’s a possibility that I’ll land in the orchestra pit, but who cares? Claw your way outta that tuba and give it another go. Maybe you’ve been planning a grand jeté of your own. Let’s jab our fingers into the air with exuberance. Let’s leave it all out there on the dance floor. Let’s hit people in the face with our sweat!

I want to thank you all for your best wishes. You’ve left peachy comments all over the place, and you’ve sent emails to wish me luck. I’ve been behind on responding to emails and comments lately, and I’m behind on commenting on other blogs. There’s a chance that this will get worse. Let’s assume it will, okay? But you should know that I read each and every comment and email you send me. Know that I’ll be reading them on my iPhone at school. That I’ll tweet you from the can. That I’ll facebook you from the cafeteria.

It’s hard to express how much you all mean to me without getting covered in snot and stuff, so this is just to say that I’m glad you’re coming to baking school with me. And I can’t wait to hear about the plans you’re baking up…

51 Comments

Oh my! That’s me up there! Well, I feel pretty darn schooled, I can tell you that much. Don’t stop to kick arses, and take a leap even if you land in a tuba. You’re a genius, you will do so well at baking school. SO well. Can’t wait to hear how your first day was x

Go Movita, go! I’m super excited about baking school for you – I wanted to go when I was just starting to cook and trying to figure out how to make that passion work in my life – and I know it’s going to fuel good cooking and good writing from you. Yay!

Movita, I’m so happy for you! Here’s hoping that baking school stuff knocks those people who doubt right on their bums!

I know exactly what you mean: people want to put you in a compartment and expect that you’ll never change or evolve. Maybe when they eat some Black Swan Cupcakes, their mouths will be too full to complain. ; )

Please make a cartoon Movita logo tweeting from the can because it would make my LIFE to see that! I can picture it so clearly and if I had ANY cartoon drawing ability of my own I would totally do it myself and post it! As far as baking school, you are living the dream my friend and haters gonna hate! I think what you are doing is awesome – you’re not letting your advanced age stop you from trying something new! (Just kidding, I’m 39 but you will always be one year older than me and I’m holding on to it! ha ha!) Seriously though, even though this means less Movita for us, quality is better than quantity and getting a new post in my in box will be even more exciting since I know it’s going to be chock full of entertaining stuff from your new life! So get out there and BAKE ALL OF THE THINGS!!!!!!

I have no drawing skills whatsoever. NONE. So, sadly, a super awesome can-logo is beyond my capabilities. But you’re right – it would be freakin’ amazing. Imagine my surprise when my chef instructor mentioned that some of our exams will include DRAWING. Mother of pearl…

Loved, loved, loved this! I think you’re so right.. us changing means others around us have to change to.. and that’s scary for some! (often me!) You remind me to jump up and take chance, seize the day and live my life!! Thanks, Movita, and I can’t wait to hear all about your first day at school!! xx Smidge

You’re fantastic Movita. I <3 you and I hope that baking school is all you hope it will be! I really admire you and look forward so much to hearing what and how you learn You're also going to learn some fantastic new curse words to use from your classmates – I look forward to hearing what those are as well.

Oh, man. I hadn’t thought about learning new curse words. Baking school IS going to be awesome! Also, my chef instructor speaks French and German, so I can probably learn curse words from other countries too…

Carole Anne, you absolutely Rock on the dance floor, and I’m just guessin’ here, but you must Rock at Living Life too! Movita, your rules Rule!! How profound can a person be, speakin’ the truth while making the rest of us Love hearing it!? Yip, that’s what we get around here! And Movita you are a Role Model – sure, for people younger than you…but for older folk too. You dare to leap when others mince-step. You dare to fall into tubas for cryin’ out loud! We are ALL of us waiting, with our googley eyes wide and our fingers clutching powdered sugar, to see what Movita brings us from baking school. We are ALL of us excited for you…and for us too…because Life with Movita is really really good! xox

Thank you so much – I don’t always feel like I Rock at Life but then again, probably everyone feels like that. Now we have some top tips for making sure we do Rock at Life, and Rock Hard.

musingmaron September 4, 2012 at 4:07 pm

First of all, Movita, I’m thrilled that you’re starting baking school today! I can hardly wait to hear about your adventures there. It’s so exciting to me when someone steps out and makes a grand change like this in their life. I’m thinking about busting some new moves myself, and feeling a little scared about getting out on that dance floor again (so to speak – I know you know what I’m talking about!). Anyhoo, thanks for the excellent advice, and all the best! I just know you’re going to be the star of your class!

Ah I love your posts because they always make me laugh and want to leave a funny comment in return. But this time, no funny comment. You hit home. When I quit my “safe” corporate job 2 1/2 years ago to be a freelance designer, something I’d gone to school for and been moonlighting at for several years, I was shocked by how many people close to me were…uncomfortable with my decision. I wasn’t supposed to do that. I was supposed to stay in my safe job and be unhappy. It dawned on me after a while that what really bothered a lot of them was, they wished they could do the same thing (follow a dream, not necessarily be a designer!) but there is a lot of risk and fear to leave the “safety” of the world you know for the unknown even if it might make you happier. But I would rather live with a little healthy fear than dread the inevitable “what if I had tried?” You are doing it! And no matter what happens, you’ll know you gave it your best shot! So go! Show them what you’re made of and have fun. And that safe corporate job I left? A year later an impressive percentage of my former coworkers were made redundant. If I’d stayed, I’d gave been one of them. There is no such thing as “safe” 🙂

You’re amazing Movita. This post really spoke to me, as cheesy as that sounds. I’m at a crossroads in my career path right now, and I don’t know how it’s going to turn out. Years and years committed to one choice may all of a sudden go down the drain. This encouragement means a lot!! I wish I could be as hilarious as you, but this comment is just going to be sappy and sweet. hope ya dont mind 🙂

I’m picking up what you’re puttin’ down babes, I’m picking it up and I’m popping it right there in my hat band, then I’m taking off my hat to Carol-Anne and her rockin’ out moves of goodness. Then I will pop my hat back on my head and move on along, not breaking my stride to kick all the bottoms that really need some boot up them, because I don’t have that kind of time.

Raise a cupcake to all us undefinable, multi talented, free spirited gels who like to lick the bowl of life until it’s all shiny : )

I hope that your first few days have been amazing, that you’re having a great time, and that it’s not too overwhelming. I *love* what your wrote, especially “These past few months have taught me that people are not just set in their own ways; they are also set in the way they perceive you.” True dat.

MEET MOVITA

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